Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.

...I say, that Power must never be trusted without a check.

Power is a poison well known for thousands of years. If only no one were ever to acquire material power over others! But to the human being who has faith in some force that holds dominion over all of us, and who is therefore conscious of his own limitations, power is not necessarily fatal. For those, however, who are unaware of any higher sphere, it is a deadly poison. For them there is no antidote.

Nobody can be touched by that much power without being corrupted.

Have you never thought how danger must surround power as shadow does light?

Power should be entrusted only to those who do not seek it.

I cannot help but think that anyone who wants power for those reasons really is not the person I want to have it.

It was clear to all there gathered that power is a dreadful thing, and that knowledge of power dims the seeing of the wise.

I have always been distrustful of personal power—for I have met not one man wise enough to be entrusted with it.

You should never be in the company of anyone with whom you would not want to die.

It is not the misuse of power that is evil; the very existence of power is an evil.

Do you want to make it impossible for anyone to oppress his fellow-man? Then make sure that no one shall possess power.

Power can be safely exercised only in the service of that which is ostensibly good. Power is like gasoline. Spread aimlessly over the landscape, it can result in an inferno, causing untold harm. Correctly contained, it can cook supper or transport us to Boston.

Power was dreadful and treacherous. When it was not great enough to accomplish its wielder’s desires, it turned against the hands which held it.